The Lemon Index
2012
20162nd generation
Avoid · most complaints: steering
83 owner complaints, first 3 years 16–22 mpg combined, EPA
Similar cars, same year
2015 Toyota Tacoma 282015 Chevrolet Colorado 1482015 Nissan Frontier 27
Lemon Index: 100 = the average car, lower is better.
Engines & versions
What breaks most on the 2015 GMC Canyon
- Steering rack / power steering121 complaintsmostly at 48,000–87,000 miles (77,000–140,000 km)
- Throttle body / loss of power24 complaintsmostly at 48,000–70,000 miles (77,000–113,000 km)
- Engine stalling9 complaintsmostly at 31,000–53,000 miles (50,000–86,000 km)
Specific parts named in the 304 owner complaints filed with NHTSA for the 2015 GMC Canyon (all dates). Miles = the odometer owners typed in (middle half); cost = the repair bills owners wrote in those same complaints, in U.S. dollars. Owners' reports, not confirmed defects.
When problems show up
Most problems on this year showed up between 5,000 and 40,000 miles (8,000–64,000 km) (the middle half of the 73 complaints, of all 83 filed so far, that listed a mileage).
- At 60K, 100K and 150K miles (97K, 161K and 241K km) Past the range where most problems showed up: it has likely had them or dodged them, so repair records matter most.
This is when owners who had a problem reported it, not the odds that one car will have it.
Questions to ask the seller
- Were recalls 21V213000 (steering), 18V358000 (fuel system, gasoline) and 17V621000 (airbags) done? It has 8 recalls in all. Ask for the dealer printout, or check the VIN.
- Any steering noise, wander or power-steering warning? Has the steering rack or pump been replaced?
- Any slipping, hard or late shifts, or a transmission warning light? Ask for transmission fluid service records.
- Do all the lights, screens and power features work? Has the battery, alternator or any wiring been replaced?
- GMC sent dealers 1818 repair notes for this car. Was this one done: “Loss of power steering assist at startup or while driving due to a poor”?
From this year's own recalls, top problems, top repair bills and GMC's repair notes. Recall repairs are free at any dealer.
How serious. Out of all 83 owner complaints filed so far (every year since it was sold, not just the first 3), owners reported:
“Average car” = what the same number of complaints would include at the rate across every model year we track. Owners report these themselves; NHTSA doesn't confirm the cause.
What owners complain about most. From owner complaints to the government.
Share of this year's owner complaints filed with NHTSA, not the share of cars that break. One complaint can name more than one area.
Check engine light on? Look up any code →
When owners reported problems. From owner complaints to the government.
Most owners who filed a complaint with NHTSA had 5K to 40K miles (8K to 64K km) on the car (73 of all 83 complaints filed so far listed the miles). This shows when people who had a problem reported it, not the odds that your car will have it.
In owners' words
Sudden total loss loss of electric power steering assist while driving on the interstate. Sudden total loss loss of stability control system while driving on the interstate.
2015 GMC Canyon owner · NHTSA complaint 11081290
More owner reports
Power steering failed on highway and vehicle was very hard to steer and control. Was very difficult to steer off the highway. Dangerous.
NHTSA complaint 11083366
The truck falls on it's face when accelerating after slowing down. The dealership says nothing is wrong. This is a dangerous situation. I have talked with other Canyon owners and they have the same problem.
NHTSA complaint 10991537
Problems GMC told dealers about
GMC sent dealers 1818 repair notes for this car. The ones about its biggest problems:
- Loss of power steering assist at startup or while driving due to a poor
- OnStar Module Battery Drain
- Gmc/chevrolet: see document search button for owner letter
Ask a seller or mechanic if these were done. Some are free under warranty or a special program.
Recalls 8
- Steering · recall issued 2021
The power steering assist may be lost due to a poor electrical connection within the steering gear assembly.
- Fuel system, gasoline · recall issued 2018
The high pressure fuel pump may detach from its mounting flange, possibly resulting in the pump damaging the high pressure fuel line.
- Airbags · recall issued 2017
The driver's frontal air bag may improperly inflate during second-stage deployment in the event of a high speed crash.
Show all 8 recalls
- Steering · recall issued 2016
A poor electrical connection within the steering gear connector may cause a loss of power steering assist.
- Brakes · recall issued 2015
The affected vehicles may experience the front brake calipers leaking brake fluid.
- Seats · recall issued 2015
In the affected vehicles, the hooks that secure the driver's and/or front passenger's seat frame may not have been properly attached to the vehicle body during assembly.
- Airbags · recall issued 2015
The affected vehicles have a front driver air bag inflator that may be misaligned to the air bag module backplate.
- Airbags · recall issued 2014
In the affected vehicles, the driver air bag connections may have been wired incorrectly.
Recall repairs are free at any dealer. A recall only matters if it's still open on that exact car, so check its VIN.
Canada? See recalls at Transport Canada
Government investigations
- ClosedLoss of power steering assist2019–2021
NHTSA looks into a problem when enough owners report it. Many end in a recall.
Safety
Crash test details
| Version | Overall | Front | Side | Rollover |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| GMC Canyon PU/EC RWD | ★★★★☆ | ★★★★☆ | ★★★★★ | ★★★☆☆ |
| GMC Canyon PU/CC RWD | not rated | not rated | not rated | not rated |
| GMC Canyon PU/EC 4WD | ★★★★☆ | ★★★★☆ | ★★★★★ | ★★★☆☆ |
| GMC Canyon PU/CC 4WD | not rated | not rated | not rated | not rated |
Fuel cost and engines
About $2,750–$3,750 (USD) a year in fuel (EPA estimate at U.S. prices, 15,000 miles or 24,000 km a year). Engines: 2.5L 4-cyl, 3.6L 6-cyl.
Every GMC Canyon year. 2015 is highlighted. Lower is better.
Newest year first. Red = worse than average, gray = about average, too new (2023+: a partial score, marked “partial”) or too few complaints to score.
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Put this chart on your site, blog or forum. Free, with the credit line built in; the 2015 bar is highlighted.
<iframe src="https://lemonindex.com/embed/cars/gmc-canyon/?y=2015" title="GMC Canyon reliability by model year (The Lemon Index)" width="100%" height="491" style="border:0;max-width:720px" loading="lazy"></iframe><p style="font-size:13px;margin:4px 0 0">Data: <a href="https://lemonindex.com/cars/gmc-canyon/2015/">Lemon Index</a> (2015 GMC Canyon reliability)</p>Quick answers
Is the 2015 GMC Canyon reliable?
No, it is one of the worst by government complaints. It drew about 3 times the average car's complaints filed with NHTSA in its first 3 years, per car sold (Lemon Index 254; 100 is average, lower is better). The GMC Canyon year with the fewest complaints per car sold since 2010 is 2019.
What are the most common 2015 GMC Canyon problems?
In owner complaints to the government, the parts named most are steering (47%), transmission & drivetrain (29%) and electrical (13%). That is the share of complaints, not the share of cars that break.
How many recalls does the 2015 GMC Canyon have?
8 safety recalls (latest: steering). Recall repairs are free at any dealer; check a specific car's VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls.
What gas mileage does the 2015 GMC Canyon get?
16 to 22 mpg combined, depending on the engine (EPA estimate).
Is the 2015 GMC Canyon safe?
NHTSA gave it 4 out of 5 stars overall in its best tested version. Ratings differ by body style, and the full table is on the advanced page.
At what mileage do 2015 GMC Canyon problems show up?
Most problems on this year showed up between 5,000 and 40,000 miles (8,000–64,000 km) (the middle half of the 73 complaints, of all 83 filed so far, that listed a mileage). At 60K, 100K and 150K miles, a 2015 is past the range where most problems showed up: it has likely had them or dodged them, so repair records matter most. This is when owners who had a problem reported it, not a prediction for one car.
Does the 2015 GMC Canyon have transmission problems?
Transmission and drivetrain issues make up 29% of its owner complaints.
How much does the 2015 GMC Canyon cost in fuel a year?
About $2,750 to $3,750 a year, by the EPA's current estimate.
What engines does the 2015 GMC Canyon have?
2.5L 4-cyl, 3.6L 6-cyl.
What GMC Canyon year is better than the 2015?
Nearby, the 2018 drew fewer owner complaints per car sold (a bit over half as many complaints as the average car). Across every year, 2019 drew the fewest.
The Lemon Index counts owner complaints filed with the U.S. government (NHTSA) in a car's first 3 years, per car sold, against the average car of the same model years (100 = average, lower is better). It measures complaints, not crash safety. A complaint is an owner's report, not a confirmed defect. How it works